IKEA Kitchen Cabinet Course Part 1 of 5: IKEA Kitchen Planning & Preparation

[@i.m.peterrific]

I did my own IKEA kitchen at the start of this year. We paid for the consultation, and I would highly recommend it. (Australian IKEA)

[@uptokode]

That's awesome, Peter! Smart move.

[@i.m.peterrific]

I also had to trim down my corner unit a bit to get around some of the plumbing from upstairs. I found that they cut cleanly on a table saw with a good blade. One recommendation.... NEVER USE A JIGSAW as they so conveniently show in a lot of their instructions.

[@sarah3796]

I.M. Peterrific why not use a jigsaw cutter?

[@sarah3796]

Hi I’m from Melbourne ✨😜. It’s hard watching this with all the “inches” and “feet” 🤦‍♀️🤷‍♀️

[@hudzgh]

@@sarah3796 I feel for you. I'm in Canada and we have to 'speak' both - considering our inch-speaking neighbours to the south.

[@rashidravat6979]

Many thanks for posting this series. After watching all your videos a few times combined with Ikea's own video series, I managed to design and fit my own IKEA kitchen cabinets. I especially appreciated your instructions on filler pieces and fitting cabinets around the fridge. The kitchen is a hit thanks to you and I managed to save a load of money to boot.

[@uptokode]

Very glad to hear! Thanks for letting me know.

[@georgiazoschke3097]

Hi Kody, really wanted to thank you for the excellent video series. I am not a beginner, but have built a few Ikea kitchens. I wish I saw this series a few years back! My latest project in a very small house has turned out to be quite a gorgeous kitchen, and all completed by me. The cabinets are right off the shelf, but on those custom bases, they will last forever. After seeing the granite guys install the counter tops, they would have actually been destroyed by now having been mounted on those plastic legs. Your tips on centering sinks, leveling cabinets, installing uppers, measuring exactly etc, have been a great solution to my kitchen. I learned a lot from you and hope that you continue to post awesome how-to videos in the future. Actually hoping you get around to doing a bathroom series soon. Cheers and thanks again for your help. You have no idea how much this has helped me. Wish I could thank you in person.

[@uptokode]

Very good comment! Thank you for the feedback and you are very welcome! I will continue to do more videos on all sorts of topics.

[@nicolenielwhite5420]

We are currently building a house and doing most of the work ourselves. I'd already decided to use and Ikea kitchen and then stumbled upon your videos- so helpful. Thanks so much for taking the time to put together these videos.

[@uptokode]

You’re welcome! I have tons of knowledge about everything construction so email me if you want a virtual consult or advice. [e-mail].

[@lisfraser6302]

WOW - excellent series of videos. Unfortunately, I discovered these videos now that I'm almost done and discovered my drawers are completely out of alignment, no idea where to put cover panels, etc. HIGHLY recommend watching the entire series BEFORE installing an Ikea kitchen - would have made it SO much easier. Plus there's lots of useful tips and tricks that will save folks a few headaches. Thank you for doing these videos, best Ikea kitchen videos available on You Tube - great job!

[@uptokode]

It’s a shame you found these late… hopefully your comment will save someone else.

[@vegandew]

This is an EPIC SERIES. Thanks to Kody and this channel for the INCREDIBLE value you give your viewers and your subscribers.

[@randallsmith7885]

This is such a wonderful public service to have this video. I am now feeling very comfortable with Ikea cabinets and installing them. Thank you Kody Horvey!

[@uptokode]

I appreciate the great comments! You’re welcome

[@HappyhooligansCaDaycare]

We are in the midst of planning an Ikea kitchen (Reno) and your videos have been awesome! Lots of great tips and insight. Thanks!

[@petemiller519]

Hey Kody, thank-you for the wonderful and thorough video series. I have watched the full series, taking notes. I feel like an IKEA expert after watching your videos. I am building our house next year, and will definitely use IKEA cabinets. A friend of mine who installs custom cabinets loves the IKEA cabinets, and says if you can do it yourself, you can probably save 50% compared to customs. Last set of custom cabinets I had installed cost us over 20k, so the savings can be significant. Cheers from Canada, and once again thank-you.

[@uptokode]

Thank you for sharing! I like hearing stories like this.

[@tsmiles_]

You are the best- tackling this mostly on my own and these are so so helpful even if they were a while ago. God bless 😅❤

[@uptokode]

You’re welcome!!

[@mattlynch4617]

I've watched the whole 5 part series, and found it to be an excellent "how to". Thank you for posting! anyone that would give any of the vids in this series a thumbsdown, clearly has no soul.

[@uptokode]

Haha. That’s awesome!

[@BarAriel]

Just wanted to say thank you for your videos. Just found your channel a couple of days ago and been watching quite a few videos. I've been assembling and installing for IKEA for a decade now, but only their furniture, not the kitchens. Now I want to expand and found many useful tips plus the way you explain and show things to detail is very easy to follow and understand. So thank you!

[@uptokode]

You’re very welcome. Please reach out if you want to see something I’ve missed

[@edp3307]

Thank you so much for taking the time to teach us about cabinets and installations. I really appreciate it and your video has been very very helpful!

[@uptokode]

You’re very welcome ! Thanks for sharing.

[@JeremyHainsworth]

Thank you very much for these videos! I watched them all and I installed our own Ikea kitchen myself. You saved me a ton of money paying someone else to do it and I learned a lot along the way. Keep up the good work.

[@uptokode]

Thanks for letting me know! Email me some finished photos and I’ll add you to my “fan feature” video I’m making

[@uptokode]

[e-mail]

[@pilarcaballero63]

love, love, love all your recommendations here! thank you for sharing!!

[@uptokode]

You are most welcome!

[@beesnort4944]

IKEA should give you royalties!😁 this has me so excited to move! All the homes I’ve seen need new kitchens badly now I don’t feel so overwhelmed. Definitely subscribed!❤️

[@uptokode]

I love hearing comments like this! And yeah if you could help get some IKEA royalties this way, I would really like that!!

[@girishgandhi-m5w]

Amazing Video and Explanation!!! Thank you Sir!!

[@p0nury84]

I'm grateful for your will to share all your knowledge and tricks. God bless you!

[@randallsmith7885]

Your job built cabinet bases are a terrific idea! I love your approach to the work!

[@vnatik]

Amazing play list, thank you!

[@uptokode]

You’re welcome! Thanks for tuning in !

[@ahhitskatie9094]

Binging your IKEA videos - seriously so helpful. Thank you!!!

[@CanAus61]

I stumbled through my first Ikea kitchen about 5 years ago here in Australia. Did it all myself and it was a nightmare filled with my own stupid mistakes. I'm about to do my second Ikea kitchen and accidentally found this series. My goodness what perfect timing. Amazing tutorial. Thank you. Can't wait to do it the right way this time. Thanks for the great tutorial. On a side note; Doug Glatt from the Goon hockey movie?

[@uptokode]

Thanks for the comment! Doug Glatt? Do I look like him or do I know him?

[@CanAus61]

@@uptokode its a character from the movie Goon, a hockey movie staring Seann William Scott. You do sorta look like him. But, that aside, excellent series. I'm in Australia and surprisingly Ikea is different here. For example, when I did my kitchen last time they didn't do the wall supports here. Said it was an American system. I'm hoping they have them now. Thanks again.

[@KandeeKane85]

This was EXACTLY what was looking for! Thank you soo much!!

[@uptokode]

You’re welcome !

[@fearfacts755]

Thank you for sharing your knowledge with everybody. I do IKEA kitchen cabinet assembly but now I am planning of doing the installation. Its an excellent video with detail demonstration.

[@uptokode]

Thanks for sharing that. I appreciate it.

[@DIYPETE]

Great work Kode! Awesome looking kitchen!

[@uptokode]

Thanks Pete!

[@zennettequarzaza9038]

@@uptokode )

[@matthewluck9077]

Kitchen sinks actually look beautiful when they’re off center beneath a window. The other space under the window allows for sink related items, such as drip racks and brushes, to have a defined space. It also looks great staged with flowers and bottles

[@csquared2121]

I'm watching your Ikea videos and noticed your northern accent so I looked you up with fingers crossed that you were in Wisconsin so we could hire you. So close! Great videos!

[@uptokode]

That’s awesome!

[@almacintosh161]

Interesting, he sounds Canadian. Lucky you, guess we can't hire him since I'm from Canada and want an Ikea kitchen. 😐

[@jillwolff8270]

My guess is Minnesota.

[@8carloq]

Great video!

[@1973jdmc]

Brilliant videos- Whao total respect. I hope that IKEA give you a commission for your fab videos.

[@uptokode]

I wish they did! I’ve never even had a thank you from them. Probably sold them a lot of kitchens over the years.

[@kristal2317]

I’m looking forward to watching all of your Ikea cabinet videos in preparation for our kitchen reno! I have my kitchen mostly planned but notice that Ikea doesn’t seem to have a corner cabinet suitable for a sink. Do you have any suggestions or a video on this?

[@uptokode]

I’m glad to hear that! Doesn’t IKEA have a corner sink for the 38”x38” lazy Susan corner? It’s been a while so I don’t remember or don’t know if it’s still a thing.

[@mamabear6190]

Thank you for sharing your knowledge. Just bought a house and the cabinet is totally trash😢 need to replace it. Sounds like ikea cabinet is a place to go

[@jeffkyriac5572]

Excellent. I love the detail in your work.

[@uptokode]

I appreciate that and hope it helps.

[@nickg3794]

You have great videos man. Really liked the ICF vids too Keep rockin!

[@jassonlondono]

Thanks for this great video. My question is if I can use just the ikea doors to reface and upgrade my kitchen cabinets? The cabinets itself are very strong and it really good condition. My other question is are you located in New York or can you recommend someone of your trust to do this job? Once again thank you so much for all your videos.

[@thebeachhousebasel]

THANK YOU so much for your videos. they are simply wonderful. so clear, so much great info. really appreciate you sharing all your experience.

[@uptokode]

You’re very welcome! Glad to be of service.

[@Purifiedinfire]

Glad to find someone from AB doing youtube carpentry!!

[@redrush40]

@KodyHorvrey your video is GREAT! one question though, for the Space for the stove... did you factor in 30" inches PLUS addition 1" inch or two, to be able to slide the stove in?

[@uptokode]

For a stove I go 30 1/4” from box to box. That allows a very slight overhang of the countertop which should be 30” in between. The stove will slide in nicely but be tight enough that less food will fall down the crack

[@denisbrazeau5031]

Good job! very informative.

[@uptokode]

Thank you

[@pierrefoy3002]

Hi Kody! Just watched Part 1 and will definitely look at the rest. As a fellow Canuck, I just knew you were one of us when you so politely criticised IKEA's base cabinet legs, yet willingly conceded they're probably smarter than you with your plywood base. Thanks again! BTY, I kinda like the idea of a custom plywood base. Did you still use their toekicks?

[@uptokode]

I use their 15 x 90 panels for the finished kick. I like how you noticed what I said. 😉

[@pierrefoy3002]

@@uptokode I watched all 5 parts now and saw the finished toekicks. Looks great! I get why you do that. Thanks for sharing all that info.

[@uptokode]

You’re welcome!

[@pierrefoy3002]

Are you planning more IKEA videos? Any tips & tricks for installing IKEA under-cabinet lighting?

[@mattybcool]

Can't wait for part 2!

[@karunald]

Wish there were pantries involved in this kitchen. IMO Pantries can be the most complex piece of the pie.

[@mhughes4444]

If you are doing a reno and your walls are not perfectly true vertically, or if there are any waves across the wall, TEAR OFF THE DRYWALL and sister or shim the studs to get everything perfectly aligned. The Ikea system is fantastic, and installs perfectly when the walls are true. Any deviation will cause you enormous angst as the kitchen goes together.

[@uptokode]

I made 2 recent videos showing how to install an ikea kitchen with crooked walls and walls that are out of square.

[@mhughes4444]

@@uptokode I'll check them out. Brother it aint easy. When you think about alignment of cabinets on opposite sides of appliances, gaps on the back of a granite countertop, having to build end panels for dishwashers that are the end of the run, and trimwork, so many issues pop up as you progress that it just makes more sense to true the walls first. I LOVE my kitchen, dont get me wrong. It turned out fantastic. I truly wish there were 30 more install vids like yours out there about 18 months ago. So kudos to you Kody for the effort!

[@uptokode]

I hear you ! I’m a stickler for building square and level as it makes all other steps of finishing so much easier. Kitchens, doors, trim, tile showers, glass, and so on! Thanks for commenting!!

[@michaelkies1]

Kody, great series. Thanks for sharing it. One question - what lengths and types of square bit screws are you using to, for example, screw cabinets together?

[@ItsAWrapVideo]

Kode....any of your videos go over installing Ikea Under Counter Lighting?

[@jessegraham21]

Thank you for the great videos! Due to pandemic (i think) there is a shortage of Sektion 24" deep base cabinets. there are a select few still available. i was wondering if you think its possible to buy any available width. scrap the bottom panel and metal spreader and salvage the box sides. use other material for bottom panel. use wood screws and glue to fasten together rather then ikea provided fasteners. i was thinking of purchasing tall cabinets and taking cutting their side panels down to make into bottom panels. Jimmy rigged i know but might get people by in a pinch? any thoughts?

[@Notmyaccount9002]

Your tutorials are so detailed and easy to understand. I’ve been watching the videos in preparation for our IKEA installation but I’m stuck on how the end panel for a dishwasher is secured/installed. Our dishwasher is at the end of a run of cabinets.

[@BelindaTOV]

Tiffany Wagar good question as mine will be too. :/

[@darinnetherland3466]

Quick update, IKEA designer advisors are complementary. I don’t know if you’re talking about a different service they have, but I had 2, two hour sessions with them at no cost.

[@uptokode]

Sweet! That is very cool. I’ve had customers pay for consultations so that’s why I said it. Private consults not the ones in the kitchen department with the crowds.

[@gottria]

Just started planning a kitchen remodel and looked at Ikea since we used them for a small bathroom. How's it holding up over the last year and a half?

[@artie4017]

Thanks for the video. However, I would disagree about not having a filler panel next to your range when you have a hood or microwave above it. The upper cabinet will have end panels adjacent to the hood/MW. To keep the install symettrical and spaced the same from the uppers to the lowers, I'd duplicate the end panels. Otherwise, you may sometimes have a full inch (.5 x 2) of difference at the end of a run of cabinets on the lowers from the uppers.

[@rogerheffley7821]

I just installed my first wall corner cabinet of the kitchen using IKEAs rail. Do you secure the wall cabinets at the bottome at all?.. or the rail system only and secure to each neighboring cabinet?

[@sheilawilson6809]

Thank you for the video, it has been so helpful

[@uptokode]

You are very welcome

[@oyebamijisolomon6285]

Good job, I want to learn.

[@2wheelspy]

Do you have a video showing how to install an Ikea centre island?

[@uptokode]

I do not. Sorry. If you want some tips reach out to me via email.

[@2wheelspy]

Kody Horvey thanks kody. It’s something I am planning on doing in the future, but will definitely take you up on that offer if it’s ok closer the time.

[@jessejohnson7393]

Do yourselves a favor and use a #2 Pozi drill driver (not a Phillips--they may look alike but they are not the same) for you Ikea screws. No one tells you this anywhere, but it should be listed in the instructions

[@omnigames7396]

How close do you live to ikea? Does this matter? My closest ikea Is about an hour and s half away

[@19_SeventyHate]

Great videos! All parts. Too bad you don’t use the Metric system 😊. I live in Sweden.

[@uptokode]

Ah bummer. Sorry about that. We still get caught up with the imperial system although our country is supposed to be metric. Thanks for watching and commenting!!

[@robertkat]

In the US you will never see any metric building supplies except roof shingles and flooring.

[@bcarss1970]

U.S. buyers. What was the cost of the in-store consultation?

[@MarcP5267]

How’s the quality? I was looking at Wolf Classic and Fabuwood.

[@mitchellmitchell6938]

11:22 nice save lol. You were very careful not to speak your mind and say their cabinet bases are JUNK lol

[@uptokode]

Haha. Good catch to you too.

[@mitchellmitchell6938]

Kody Horvey hey, if you really think so, send a 😉 wink

[@EastWing411]

Need a metric version !

[@redrush40]

@kodyhorvey do you need filler piece OR support for a dishwasher space void, that is on the end. I have in secession from left to right: 15” tall (80”) long cabinet, then to the right is a Dishwasher space, then to the right of that is a 24” farm sink. My question would be: do I need a Support or Filler piece, for the LEFT side of the dishwasher void. (Since the countertop would basically end above the dishwasher.) And. What would be a good space to leave to slide a 24” dishwasher in? P.s. Thank you for your excellent videos!!!

[@uptokode]

You could install a cleat against the tall cabinet and rest your countertop on that. It’s all you need. Then the dishwasher can be installed.

[@redrush40]

Thank you! Any suggestion for the type and style of Cleat?

[@FiggysMeemaw]

We are having a problem with the worktops, the guy installing the worktops would like to use his jig to join the worktops but sadly we cannot find a 635 jig, could you please advise? Bye the way we are in the UK.

[@jackielyons8684]

Hey! Loved this video. It would be great if you could also do it in cm for us Ozzies.

[@uptokode]

Sorry about that. We are taught metric in Carpentry school but everyone still uses imperial. I like converting inches to mm but the whole Centimetre thing messes me up. Thanks for watching and stay tuned as we will release each section of the series every Monday morning (Canada time. 😊)

[@i.m.peterrific]

The Ikea cabinets for us metric folk are the Metod range, they come in 20, 40, 60, 80 & 100cm versions just so you are aware. Every other cupboard manufacturer here in oz tends to stick with 30, 60 and 90cm standard widths. This only becomes an issue if you want to use Ikea inserts (which I think are awesome in the bamboo) in other brand cabinets. It's not going to work.... obviously. Appliances from other manufacturers will fit in the standard cabinet spaces though, so you can put better quality applicances in to Ikea cabinets if that is your thing.

[@eisenmantom]

One thing about these Ikea fasteners is they do NOT have Phillips heads. The screws are POZI drive, a type that’s popular in Europe. If you look at the heads, there’s a little line between each pairs of arms in the cross heads. This indicates POZI. A Phillips screwdriver will sorta work but it will pop up out of the cross heads. A true POZI will fit like a glove and make things a lot easier. I assemble Ikea cabinets for our local Habitat for Humanity and having the right screwdriver helps a lot if you do a bunch of them. Ikea sells the screwdrivers but you can buy them from Amazon too.

[@uptokode]

I need to buy one of these bits for my next IKEA kitchen

[@lukeadv]

I selfishly wish the US was metric, I'm working hard to do these calculations in inches! So used to millimetres for cabinetry.

[@uptokode]

I know hey! Dang it.

[@bryanscheid2738]

Lineal cabinet = blind corner cabinet 😁

[@uptokode]

That’s a better way or saying it! I like it

[@sarah3796]

So I really can’t move the sink 😫 nnnooo

[@uptokode]

You can put the sink anywhere you want. Most people want it centred in a window but it doesn’t really matter. Go A-symmetrical if you want.

[@reyeliasen3680]

You've got very nice shoulders ( a very natural stong and defined look)

[@arezourose1]

In the UK, IKEA kitchen planning service is free

[@owenaj]

Kody - you are so cute